Slum compassionate community: expanding access to palliative care in Brazil.

Objective: To describe the implementation of a compassionate community in Rocinha and Vidigal slums, located in the city of Rio de Janeiro.

Method: Report on the experience of implementing a Compassionate Community based on the World Health Organization conceptual bases, supported by university extension guidelines.

Results: Initially, local leaders and residents were recruited and trained in palliative care.